Mr Brawn said: "I find it very frustrating that politicians in the UK were saying we should withdraw once we got here. Why didn't they say anything beforehand?"

He went on: "For somebody to try and make Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton determine the foreign policy of the country is wrong."

David Cameron has resisted pressure to call for the cancellation of the event, insisting it was a matter for the F1 authorities.
Petrol bombs have been hurled at security officials, tyres set ablaze and anti-grand prix graffiti daubed on walls in ugly scenes which have marred the Gulf kingdom in recent days.

Meanwhile, riot police have used rounds of tear gas and pepper spray to disperse throngs of protesters who are demanding democracy and the cancellation of the race.

After news of Mr Abbas's death on the outskirts of Manama emerged, Jean Todt, president of the F1's governing body the FIA, remained adamant his conscience was clear and the reputation of the sport remained intact.

He said: "I am sorry about what has been reported. I am not sure all that has been reported corresponds to the reality of what is happening in this country.

"But I feel F1 is very strong. It is a very strong brand, and all the people among the teams to whom I have been speaking are very happy."

He insisted he was comfortable with the decision to remain in Bahrain despite months of political unrest and the regime's crackdown on demonstrators.

"To say there has not been some controversy around what has happened in Bahrain would be wrong from my side. Yes, there are certain problems. Yes there are some protests - because it is a democratic country and protests are allowed," he said.

He added: "For those of us trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, to get people working together. It allows us to celebrate our nation."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had earlier insisted it was down to the Bahrainis to cancel their grand prix.

Amnesty International said human rights violations are continuing in the Gulf kingdom despite government promises that the country is on the road to reform.

In a recent report, the campaign group said security forces were still using excessive and unnecessary force against anti-government protesters.

The 2011 race was cancelled as international criticism grew over the bloodshed and the Foreign Office has advised British motor racing fans against travelling to this year's event.

On the track German Sebastian Vettel sits in pole position for today's race after grabbing top spot in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton was forced to settle for second, with Mark Webber and Jenson Button on the second row in third and fourth respectively.